2012 Veteran's Day

Yesterday at the University of Oklahoma/Baylor football games there was a flyover of F-16's from Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL. Last year they were from Mountain Home AFB. What do they have in common -- leaders are OU grads.


Staff Sergeant Robie Stricklin of Skiatook, Okla., was recognized in game as part of OU's Sooner Fan Favorites program. Stricklin nominated the late OU All-American Bob Kalsu to be featured on the design for Saturday's game ticket. Joining in the presentation was Bob Kalsu, Jr., the son of the former Sooners great, along with his sister, and Mother. While serving in Iraq, Stricklin had the privilege of serving at Forward Operating Base Kalsu.

Kalsu earned All-America honors in 1967 as an offensive tackle while helping the Sooners to a Big 8 Championship. Kalsu was selected in the eighth round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills in 1968, but his professional career was cut short. Kalsu was called to join the U.S. Army's highly decorated 101st Airborne Division. On July 21, 1970, he was killed by North Vietnamese mortar fire. He was the only pro football player to be killed during the Vietnam Conflict.
The Pride of Oklahoma performed a halftime show with songs honoring the different services as they asked people to stand who were members.  Around us were members from all the services from young to old.  There is a veterans memorial in front of our stadium that honors all the Sooners killed the service of our Nation.  

This stands at the entrance of the Veterans Memorial at OU:

In Norman there is a veterans memorial of everyone from Cleveland County who has served.

God Bless those who are serving today in the service of our Nation and those who have served in the past to bring freedom not only to America but to countries around the world over the year.  Our hearts go out to those families who have lost loved ones in the service of their country over the years.  Time for both parties to agree that Veterans benefits will not be cut but strengthened.  Those who are disabled need our support as they return from combat and face many struggles in the lives.  Veterans of this Nation should be a priority not an afterthought.